Pennsylvania’s notoriously high level of regulation is a burden on our state economy. To make the Keystone State a competitive place to live, work, or grow a business, reforms are needed to rein in the regulatory process. Taxpayers deserve a streamlined regulatory process that scrutinizes proposed regulations to ensure frivolous reforms do not overburden the state economy and do not prevent job-seekers from accessing employment.

Regulation

Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • October 24, 2011

The Patriot News obtained a draft copy of the forthcoming study on liquor store privatization commissioned by Gov. Tom Corbett. According to the story, the report predicts auctioning…

Media

Read More: Will Liquor Liberty Have to Wait Another Year?

Regulation

Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests

  • October 20, 2011

Liquor store union president Wendell Young appears to be on a campaign to discredit any lawmaker that favors removing the state’s monopoly stranglehold over liquor sales. You can…

Media

Read More: Knowles’ Bill Puts Taxpayers Above Special Interests

Regulation

Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?

  • October 19, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board operates with a clear conflict of interest. It is charged with both enforcement and managing sales. It spends millions to advertise alcohol products.

Media

Read More: Is Liquor Liberty Dangerous?

Regulation

Sens. Browne and Mensch Join in Call for Liquor Liberty

  • October 7, 2011

Yesterday at an Allentown press conference, Senate Majority Whip Pat Browne and Sen. Bob Mensch joined House Majority Leader Mike Turzai in support of liquor liberty, calling for…

Media

Read More: Sens. Browne and Mensch Join in Call for Liquor Liberty

Regulation

Liquor Privatization (House Bill 11)

  • October 7, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board serves as the monopolistic seller of wine and spirits in the commonwealth. Rep. Mike Turzai introduced House Bill 11 to sell off the PLCB's retail…

Fact Sheet

Read More: Liquor Privatization (House Bill 11)

Regulation

Commonwealth Foundation Creates ‘Liquor Liberty’ Web Site

  • October 4, 2011

HARRISBURG, PA – The Commonwealth Foundation launched today www.LetFreedomDrink.com, a Web site dedicated to removing state government and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board from its monopoly stranglehold over retail and…

Press Release

Read More: Commonwealth Foundation Creates ‘Liquor Liberty’ Web Site

Regulation

Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling

  • October 3, 2011

The latest Quinnipiac poll shows strong support for liquor store privatization, Marcellus Shale drilling (as well as natural gas tax); and for the first time asks Pennsylvanians if they…

Media

Read More: Poll: Support for Private Liquor Stores, Marcellus Drilling

Regulation

Lessons for Pennsylvania from Jersey Shore

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 29, 2011

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie recently nixed a tax credit for production of MTV’s Jersey Shore. This is a TV show that apparently doesn’t portray New Jersey in the…

Media

Read More: Lessons for Pennsylvania from Jersey Shore

Public Union Democracy

New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to Work

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 21, 2011

New polling conducted by Douglas E. Schoen, LLC for the Manhattan Institute nationally and in 10 targeted states shows widespread bipartisan support to reduce state government spending rather than…

Media

Read More: New Polling Shows 72 Percent of Pennsylvanians Support Right to Work

Regulation

Wasteful Wine Wizards Cork Kiosk Caper!

  • September 20, 2011

Put a cork in it!  That’s apparently what the Sultans of Syrah said suddenly today as they will pull the putrid pinot plug on the wasteful wine kiosk catastrophe.

Media

Read More: Wasteful Wine Wizards Cork Kiosk Caper!

Regulation

Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes

  • Elizabeth Stelle
  • September 20, 2011

Facing immense fiscal and political pressures, many local governments are looking for ways to fund services without raising taxes. But officials need not curb their enthusiasm for fiscal responsibility if…

Commentary

Read More: Public-Private Parking Prevents Tax Hikes

Regulation

13 Reasons Why Government-Sold Booze Fails

  • September 20, 2011

America was built upon a free-market system where citizens were free to make purchasing decisions in a competitive market without excessive government oversight or taxation. Sadly, that's not true for…

Poll

Read More: 13 Reasons Why Government-Sold Booze Fails

Regulation

Cabernet Kings Couldn’t Count!

  • September 15, 2011

All together now, Pennsylvania:  Ninety-nine bottle of booze in a box, 99 bottles of booze, blow in a tube, look like a rube, still 99 bottles of booze in a…

Media

Read More: Cabernet Kings Couldn’t Count!

Regulation

Licensing Regulations Drives Out Entrepreneurs

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 13, 2011

A Morning Call article brings to light the anti-entrepreneurship policy of occupational licensing. The article focuses on fines imposed on folks trying, in most cases, to earn a living:…

Media

Read More: Licensing Regulations Drives Out Entrepreneurs

Regulation

The State of Inconvenience

  • September 13, 2011

Walk into any supermarket in Ohio and you can see shoppers purchasing everything they need for dinner - including the wine to go with it.  In West Virginia, residents can…

Commentary

Read More: The State of Inconvenience

Public Union Democracy

Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss

  • September 8, 2011

Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Independent article on the new state independent contract rules demonstrates the clear need for regulatory streamlining in the commonwealth. After Deborah Webster’s husband lost his job,…

Media

Read More: Senseless Regulations Cause Job Loss

Regulation

Rick Perry, Corporate Welfare and Pennsylvania

  • Nathan Benefield
  • September 7, 2011

Texas Governor and Presidential Candidate Rick Perry has taken some flak recently for “job creation” funds, which largely direct taxpayer funds to corporations and special projects. This is commonly…

Media

Read More: Rick Perry, Corporate Welfare and Pennsylvania

Regulation

The Failure of Government-run Liquor Stores

  • September 1, 2011

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is the exclusive wholesaler and retailer of wine and spirits in the commonwealth.  A current proposal would get the government out of the business…

Fact Sheet

Read More: The Failure of Government-run Liquor Stores